Woodfin's SS GT/TB construction series
 

This thread will document the building.

You can follow the complete process beginning with a $900.00 1997 Chevy S-10.
This will be a done completely in house construction project with spending on close watch. Anything [within reason] that can be built from common, locally available materials will be used in the construction.

All comments welcome. Please visit oftern.

Re: Woodfin's SS GT/TB construction series
 

Phase one:

cleaning, inspecting, making plans.

The truck was parked under a tree for several East Texas seasons. I hoped the white paint would clean up enough to be usable. After two brush washing's the answer is yes, paint will work as is.

Once the "Team Woodfin" logo and other design licks by Michael Beard are applied, plus properly placed contingency decals, the "weak paint" areas can be covered.

The first construction project is building a chassis table. Photos soon.

Re: Woodfin's SS GT/TB construction series
 

the "core" truck

Re: Woodfin's SS GT/TB construction series
 

first, you tear down, later your rebuild.

Dash tear down to remove a/c parts. Fenders being removed for best access to cleaning and motor plate fitting.

Seats and carpet removal for welding/fitting of roll bar and components.

Re: Woodfin's SS GT/TB construction series
 

teardown

Re: Woodfin's SS GT/TB construction series
 

more teardown details

Re: Woodfin's SS GT/TB construction series
 

even more photos of teardown

Re: Woodfin's SS GT/TB construction series
 

Larry --the owner changed his mind he wants his truck back NO SALE!!!!

Re: Woodfin's SS GT/TB construction series
 

Yea! success with the photo posting lesson. More pics soon.

This week is continuing stripping non-race parts. All factory wire removed to be replace by custom, in house wiring. Dash is completely torn down so all a/c components can be removed. All a/c components also removed under hood.

ABS system and brake booster in the scrap box.

More pressure washing of chassis and parts. Front springs & shocks will be removed then control arms reconnected. Adjustable height fixture will allow having truck on table at ride height.

Bed is coming off for easy access to rear section. A new, in house. custom built rear frame will be welded in about 6 1/2" inboard of the factory frame.

More soon.

Re: Woodfin's SS GT/TB construction series
 

FED, in two days we have it so he would not want it back :)

Re: Woodfin's SS GT/TB construction series
 

no air bag needed :)

nor turn signal switch

We are just about all the way down. More cleaning then the build up begins.

First process is completing the chassis table and beginning the rear frame section mods.

More soon.

Re: Woodfin's SS GT/TB construction series
 

as the building begins we will some what work both ends. Soon a block and trans case will be test fitted to find motor plate tab locations.

One of the guys who works for me say's, "we all have special sections when race car building. The Boss man is good with designing the rear suspension, fabricating and welding the back half. Ricky is good with the front half, front suspension, springs alignment, bump steer."

"My specialty is the middle half" {:}"You know, wiring switches, gauges and such"

Not many race trucks have a front half, middle half, and back half, but the Super 10 does!

Re: Woodfin's SS GT/TB construction series
 

So what your saying is....you got a truck and a half to build! I like the name "super 10", I have been calling my daily the "super dime", it has quite a tale to tell :)

Re: Woodfin's SS GT/TB construction series
 

Dion,

the "Super 10" is great idea,Thanks to Dale Firesale for the idea. It gives lot's of opening for BS carrying on.

The truck being a super stocker fits perfect.

Thank again Dale

Re: Woodfin's SS GT/TB construction series
 

Does this make it a 3/2 ton?

Dale

Re: Woodfin's SS GT/TB construction series
 

Dale, you are full of it :) creative ideas that is.

Re: Woodfin's SS GT/TB construction series
 

Today Ken began planning his middle half work. Ken is our in house middle half specialist. He excels at switches, wiring, gauges, shifter, etc.

In this photo he is visualize the placement of components.

Once I heard him say "Waaaaaaaaaa"

No question the Super 10 will be bad to the bone. Notice it is running 63 MPH in the shop :)

Re: Woodfin's SS GT/TB construction series
 

each day brings progress. We are really all the way down now.

Bed removed, windshield removed, back glass removed. More cleaning, lot's of cleaning. Pressure washer time.

Re: Woodfin's SS GT/TB construction series
 

We are near the time to begin construction. After two pressure washing's the Super 10 is much cleaner. I think two more rounds with the washer will have it in good shape.

The chassis construction tables are almost finished. Next week will show progress with building the new rear sub-frame.

Re: Woodfin's SS GT/TB construction series
 

on the chassis table. Next week, new sub-frame and four link brackets.

Re: Woodfin's SS GT/TB construction series
 

I like decals :)

Re: Woodfin's SS GT/TB construction series
 

Saturday morning, on the chassis tables. We can begin to see the rear section frame mods that will be required. Next week will begin the four link and crossmember mock up. Also note the bare 12 bolt housing that will be narrowed and braced.

Re: Woodfin's SS GT/TB construction series
 

Keep the pictures coming Larry. Know you are going to make this one a trick and good looking truck. Still think a 4 speed would fit well!
Cant wait to see it done.

Ken
Stock 412

Re: Woodfin's SS GT/TB construction series
 

Ken, I often think of a manual trans. It is not on the plans short term but is always something I consider.

One consideration with the truck classes, a converter equipped trans runs at lighter weight. In the case of the "B" class Super 10, it is allowed 155 pounds weight reduction with auto trans.

The initial build up and testing will be a Powerglide with 1.98 low and 5.88 rear gear. The 327 in super stock trim will shift at about 8500 so it will be a fun ride.

Re: Woodfin's SS GT/TB construction series
 

Looks great Larry. I like the chassis coffee table. great for works and breaks, lol. Never need to leave. 12 bolts are best looking rears by far, Chevy Tough!!!!

Re: Woodfin's SS GT/TB construction series
 

In the first post about this project I mentioned it will be an in house, shop built package. So far, so good, check the new right side frame mock up.

The four link front upright piece is 3 x 2 x .125 tubing. The upper rails are 2 x 2 x .125. New rails are tacked and fit well. Next week will complete the same frame work on left side.

Coming soon, anti-roll bar crossmember and hardware. Plus front crossmember between forward four link brackets.

The new frame is 23" outside to outside. [8 1/2" in-board of the factory frame on each side] This allows as large as a 32 x 14 but I plan to run a 31.5 x 13.5 M/T radial.

There will be a crossmember between the shock mounts and that is also were the roll bar rear struts will attach.

Good progress and more soon.

Re: Woodfin's SS GT/TB construction series
 

In the photos the factory frame sides are still in place. Once all new frame tubing and crossmembers are in place and final welded the original frame sides will be cut off. This method uses the stock frame as a building jig and is a big help with aligning everything.

It is not obvious in the photos, I have four pieces of "outrigger" tubing welding to the original frame down to the floor. In addition, the front crossmember is blocked at ride height. The truck is level and square and plum on all planes.

Also, the front spring are removed to allowing setting ride height on the construction tables.

Re: Woodfin's SS GT/TB construction series
 

We have some excellent progress on the front section also. Specifically, engine parts gathering.

Gene Daugherty contacted me in ref to super stock heads for sale. In working with Gene and Gary Hettler the Super 10 will have plenty of 327, high winding power :)

Re: Woodfin's SS GT/TB construction series
 

Frame work is looking good Larry! Keep pushing.
You and I often think the same about going rounds and being consistent. Old bracket racer coming out I guess. The weight break of an auto, and that it is easier to be consistent, pushes the auto trans to the top.
That, and money, keep the auto in my car, for now... but a stick would just be fun!

Looking forward to more pictures.

Ken
Stock 412

Re: Woodfin's SS GT/TB construction series
 

Ken, the rear section work is coming along. I will have more pics in a few days. So far, the rear construction is working out as expected.

One of my challenges is being patient, I would like to have it at Ennis today :) However, as I have moved into my "mature" years [I am 67] it has become easier to back off a few mins and regroup.

Long range I would like to have it ready for some runs in fall of 2015.

Re: Woodfin's SS GT/TB construction series
 

One of my goals with the Super 10 building series is to show other's what can be accomplished at home or shop with common tools and making do with what you have.

Yet, at the same time, no compromise in strength, accuracy or performance. It is my hope other racers will be encouraged to take on a home built project.

The S-10 presents at least two helpful construction advantages.

[1] It has a beefy full frame.

[2] You can remove the bed for easy access to the rear section construction.

Of course, in no way to limit the options because there are many choices. The idea is, step out of your comfort zone and go for it, the rewards are many.

Re: Woodfin's SS GT/TB construction series
 

Your work must be accurate. In addition, you will try something and it will not fit as expected. Do not be discouraged. Walk away, take a break, give yourself time to think about the options.

The first pic shows the front wheel base measure point. It is simply a screw into the plywood top that allows hooking a tape over.

The next two pics show the rear axle center ref on table and square bring center line up to housing

Re: Woodfin's SS GT/TB construction series
 

In the above third pic you can see a temporary strap holding rear housing in position. Also note housing center is 16" off table for 32" tire.

Next we see the shop built four link bracket assembly on the welding table.

It is an option to buy this assembly completely welded with frame rails. However, I built it in house for at least two reasons.

[1] money saved
[2] experience with fabrication and welding

The bar through the brackets is a temporary jig to help align the assembly

Re: Woodfin's SS GT/TB construction series
 

speaking of learning and experience; my MIG skills are good, but TIG is new to me. I bought a new Miller 200 Dynasty DX with the goal in mind of learning to TIG weld.

It takes practice and patients but I am coming along OK. This is an example of on-going lessons.

Re: Woodfin's SS GT/TB construction series
 

these photos show to keep an eye on your setup. Frame level, cab level, front crossmember blocked to ride height. The front springs are removed so frame can be blocked to ride height.

Re: Woodfin's SS GT/TB construction series
 

these pics show a temporary crossmember, center line string, shock setup bar, and rearward piece of new frame.

Next week will bring more rear section progress. Please stay tune and post any thoughts.

Re: Woodfin's SS GT/TB construction series
 

Friday afternoon Super 10 update.

There is good progress since the last post. This photo shows the new in-board frame tack welded in position. This is version "E" [ versions A - D were experimental mock ups ] That is my story and I am sticking to it :)

Notice LPW heavy duty rear cover for the 12 bolt. I have run the LPW with several other cars and I think it is a good idea that helps gear life.

Also notice the trusty center string. Measure, measure, measure, be patient, take a drink of water, measure, measure. I am now satisfied with the new frame rails and ready to finish weld all joints.

Other things to notice, [4] temporary crossmembers. All four will be removed after finished welding. And notice shock mounds and ride height jigs. All measurements check good, frame square, shocks same height, front four link brackets same height off table, rear housing at ride height, wheel base correct. Whew!

Did I talk about patience and measuring?

Re: Woodfin's SS GT/TB construction series
 

The next two photos show more details. You can begin to see how the outer factory frame will be cut away once the new frame is finish welded. Also there will be several outrigger braces. In addition, an anti-roll bar crossmember will locate approximately above the rear housing.

It is a good feeling to see the plan begin to take shape as expected.

I expect next week will show more progress. Stay tuned.

Re: Woodfin's SS GT/TB construction series
 

thanks for taking us along the build Larry. This is really great.
Chris

Re: Woodfin's SS GT/TB construction series
 

Saturday morning progress;

this morning the anti-roll bar crossmember and tabs to mount the bar went in place. You will see one of the R J Race Cars bushings for the bar mount setting on it's tab.

Also, one of the temporary crossmembers has been removed.

These beautiful fall mornings are a welcome change from our Texas sweating days !

More soon.